Collaborative post
No matter the size of your family, maintaining and running a busy household can become costly. Everyday expenses such as food and transportation can take a huge chunk out of your budget, so knowing the right money-saving tips and tricks can really help and see you potentially saving hundreds of pounds each year. Here are 10 ways to save money around the home.
Plan Weekly Meals
If you have any fussy eaters in the home, you could end up making more meals each night than you care to imagine! Instead of catering to everyone’s taste, creating meal plans that are suitable for all can make a huge difference and save you money too. What’s more, meal planning can reduce the number of times you go food shopping each week, as well as helping you to avoid eating out and ordering takeaways. It’s best to make a shopping list where you can outline exactly what you need. Make sure to follow a balanced diet and incorporate plenty of fruits and vegetables into your meals.
Shop at Discount Stores
No matter where you live, the chances are there will be a discount store nearby which sells everything you need, from food to cheap clothing. While some items at pound stores may not always be the best quality, you can get your basic staples such as toilet roll, paper towels, and condiments for a cheaper price when compared to major supermarkets.
Cook in Bulk
You will be surprised at how much money you can save from buying items in bulk, rather than separately. Necessities like toilet roll are much cheaper to buy in bulk, giving you great value for money. When taking food into account, non-perishable items such as cereal can be cheaper to buy in bulk too. There are lots of perishables like fruits, vegetables, meats, and bread, which you can buy in bulk and freeze to use at a time that conveniences you.
Save on Electricity
If you’ve noticed an increase in your electricity bills, it’s time to act! Simple measures such as turning off lights and unplugging items can be a fantastic way to cut down costs. Before you head to bed, make sure to check your kitchen appliances, such as toasters and coffee machines, are switched off and unplugged after use. You may not realise that even when they’re turned on, they can be draining energy from the wall. Other things like your phone charger, computer, or TV don’t need to be plugged in if you aren’t using them.
Get Cover
Your home should be the one place on earth where you feel the safest and comfortable, however, from time to time, you may run into problems to do with your boiler, plumbing, heating, or electrics that are simply out of your control. You may want to consider using someone such as Certi who are specialists when it comes to protecting your home, providing you with boiler and home emergency cover for a small monthly fee. No matter the time of day or night, an emergency can strike, such as your boiler breaking down in the winter months, so being covered ensures you won’t be out of pocket with a sudden expense.
Reduce Water Usage
While many of us enjoy nothing more than a soak in the bath or a long shower, the daily cost of doing so can really eat into your monthly expenses. Taking simple steps such as reducing the amount of time you spend in the shower can have a huge impact on the overall cost. Also, if your washing machine seems to never be switched off, try and switch to washing your clothes in cold water instead. Not only will this cut down on your water heating bills, but it may reduce the risk of your clothes shrinking.
Cancel Subscriptions
Whether you’re an avid TV watcher, or you enjoy surfing the web, there are so many companies who want you to sign up and subscribe to their services. Whether it be a Netflix subscription or other form of entertainment, the monthly cost of membership can soon add up. You need to take a step back and have a think about whether you’re getting the full benefits of the subscription. If you have a Sky subscription, while switching to Freeview will mean fewer channels, you will save money in the long run!
Ditch Your Car
Instead of relying on your car to get you from A to B, why not walk, or use public transportation instead? If you live in a major city or town, there will be several public transport options that you can use to get you around. We all know how expensive petrol costs can be, so finding ways to cut corners around driving can be a great way to cut down on your day-to-day living costs. What’s more, opting to walk can be a good way to get more active.
Making small but subtle changes to your food shopping, entertainment choices, and getting from A to B can really make a difference in your monthly expenses. You can also shop at discount stores, reduce your water usage, as well as switch off electrical items before bed as ways to save money too.
Disclosure – This is a collaborative post.
